Adjustable proportioning pump



Feb. 23, 1960 H. R. TEAR 2,925,780

ADJUSTABLE PRoPoRTIoNING PUMP Filed Sept. 18, 1957 l v gary/djilali vs:

The present invention relates to apparatus for pumping two different liquids simultaneously from two-separate containers.

One object lof the invention is rto 'provide improved pumping apparatus of an extremely simple, highly practical construction which 'is capable of pumping two different liquids simultaneously fro'm separate containersvat pumping rates for the respective fluids ythat can be pre- -adjusted Vreadily to any desired ratio to each other and positively maintained at the fpreadjusted 'ratio despite uctuations in the back pressure on the pumping apparatus,'variations in the overall pumping. 'rate of the vapparatus, changes in the viscosity of one or `both liquids, dile'rences in the height of liquid in the containers` from which the liquid is pumped, and other variables which affect or tend to affect the Vpumping of the two liquids.

Another 'object of theinvention is to provide improved pumping apparatus, as recited in the previous object, which 'is particularly well suited to pump liquids into a common outlet ffrom two barrels, supply drums or the like.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of lthe exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side View of pumping apparatus embodying the invention; i l

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the apparatus -and vits iluid output connections;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3&3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary 'sectional vie'w taken along th line 4-44 of Fig. 1. v

Well adapted to pump two different liquids simultanelously from twoadjacent, Vupwardlyojzien barrels ltl, 12,

theadjustable proportioning pump 14 forming the exemplary embodiment of vthe invention illustrated comprises -a narrow, Vhorizontally elongated frame 16 adapted to extend horizontally across both barrels.

The basic structure ofthe frame 16v is formed by four parallel angle irons 18, 20, 22, and 24 spaced horizontally from each other. K At one end' of the frame'16, all four angle irons 18, 20, 22, and 24 are welded or otherwise lixed tothe underside of a transverse journal block 26. At the other end of the frame, al1 four angle irons are welded to the underside to a second journal block 28 extending transversely across the frame. The t`w'o outermost angle irons 18, 24 project beyond the second journal block 28 to underlie a horizontal actuator plate 30 which is welded to the projecting irons.

A reciprocating air motor `32 is fixed to the underside 'of the plate 30 to extend vertically 'downward from the frame 16. The motor 32 is operated by compressed air supplied to the lower end of the motor through a control valve 34 in an air supply line 36 from a compressed air supply source (not shown).

A reciprocating output plunger 38 on the motor 32 projects upwardly through the plate 30 to connect with one end of a straight rocker 40 extending alongnearly tes Patent` the" full length of the frame 16.A As shown,. the rocker 40 isr formed: by apair of parallel angle irons 42, 44 spaced horizontally fromA each other and connected together atthe plunger end of the rocker by a suitable spacer 46. At the other end of the rocker 40, the two rocker irons 42,v 44 are swingablysupported on pivots 45, 47 projecting from opposite sides of a vertical standard 48 located a short distance horizontally inward from the journal block 26. The lower end of the standard- 48 is welded between the two inner angle irons 20, 22 of the frame 16. f V

Reciprocating movement of the plunger 38 is transmitted to therocker 40 through a pin-and-'slot connection 50 with the adjacent end of the rocker which allows the rocker to swing about its pivotal support while the plunger is moving vertically. Vertical swinging movement of the rocker 40 toward and away from the frame 16 is used to proportionally actuate two positive displacement pumping units 52, 54 in synchronized relation to each other.

on the frame 16 for independent translation longitudinally on the frame to any position of adjustment within an extensive range of adjustment extending horizontally `from the transverse journalblock 28 back to the rocker angle irons 18, 20, which project toward each other.

Al support head 62 on the upper end ofthe other pumping unit 54 is supported in the same manner on a separate support track formed by the angle irons 22, 24 on the' opposite longitudinal side of the frame 16.

Thus supported, the two pumping units 52, 54 are independently adjusted along the framev 16 by two parallel adjusting screws 64, 66 threaded respectivelyl through the pumping unit support heads 56 and 62 and journaled at opposite ends in the' journal blocks 26 and 28. Both screws 64, 66 project beyond the journal block 26 to form rotary drivers 68, '70 shaped to t alternatively into a detachable hand crank 72 used to rotate either screw.

The two pumping units 52, 54 are identical in construction. As supported in the frame 16, they are turned back-to-back and spaced from each other laterally across the frame. Hence, a description of one will suffice for both.

`As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the pumping unit' 52 includes a hollow barrel or casing 74 of cylindrical shape extending vertically downward from the' support head 56 into the container 10. The lower end of the barrel ',74 terminates in a foot valve 76, which defines uid intake openings 7 S'communicating with the interior of the barrel 74 through an inlet check valve 80. j

The space in the' barrel 74 between the inlet valve 88 and an overlying piston 82 slidably mounted in the barrel forms a* pumping chamber 84, which is alternately compressed and expanded by reciprocation of the piston. Fluid is discharged from the chamber 84 through an outlet check valve 86 in the piston 82. From the valve $6, the fluid moves up through the upper end of the barrel 74 to an outlet 89 in the lower end of the lsupporting head 56. f The outlet 89 connects with a exible conduit 91 leading to a lluid output manifold 93. In the manifold 9,3 the output from the pumping unit 52 mergesV with the output fromthe pumping unit 54, which is connected'to the manifold 93 by a ilexible conduit 95. The piston 82 of the pumping unit 52 is reciproca't'd by vertical actuator 88 connected to the piston aud The two pumping units 52, 54 are separately supported ex'tending through the support head 56 to project above the support head as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The actuator 88 is reciprocated by the rocker 40v through a connection 90 between the upper end of the actuator and the immediately adjacent portion of the rocker, which constrains the actuator to follow vertical movement of the adjacent portion of the rocker and at the sarne time provides for unrestricted translation of the actuator along the rocker. Preferably, the connection 90 is made between the actuator 88 and the rocker 40 by two vertically spaced rollers 92,l 94 rotatably mounted on the actuator 88 and embracing a horizontal flange 96 of the rocker angle iron-42, which projects toward the actuator.

The reciprocable actuator 881 of the pumping unit 54 is similarly connected to a horizontal flange 961 of the other angle iron 44 of the rocker 40. Structural elements of the pumping unit 54 corresponding to structural elements of the pumping unit 52 specifically mentioned in vthe previous description are designated with the same reference numerals but with the addition of the subscript 1. The barrel 741 of the pumping unit 54 extends down into the barrel 12 as shown.

The extent to which any longitudinal portion of the rocker 40 is moved toward and away from the frame 16 by vertical swinging of the rocker is directly proportional to its spacing from the rocker pivots 45, 47. Thus, the stroke 88 -for the pumping unit 52 has its maximum value when the pumping unit is translated on the frame 16 up to the bearing block 28 adjacent the actuator 32. Translation of the pumping unit 52 in the opposite direction to place the connecting rollers 92, 94 in vertical alignment with the rocker pivots 45, 47 reduces the stroke of the actuator 88 to a zero value.

Between these two extreme positions on the frame 16,

the pumping unit 52 can be translated to any intermedilate position and held in place by the coacting adjusting vscrew 64. In this manner, the stroke of the actuator 88 can be adjusted to any desired fraction of its maximum value `for any given angular displacement of the rocker 40. y

The stroke of the actuator 881 of the other pumping unit 54 is similarly adjustable between a zero value and its lmaximum value, which is the Same as that for the actuator 88. This is achieved by translation of the pumping unit 54 on the frame 14 by its adjusting screw 66.

Since the stroke, and hence the output, of each lpumping unit is infinitely adjustable'between a zero value and its maximum value independently of the adjustment of the other pumping unit, the two pumping units can be adjusted in relation to each other to provide any desired ratio between the volumetric pumping rates of the two units.

the two units 52, 54 has been set by preadjustment of the pumping units along the frame 16, it is undisturbed by changing conditions which affect or tend to affect the pumping rates of the two units. Since both pumping units 52, 54 are actuated by the rocker 40, variations in the speed or stroke of the actuating motor 32 do not disturb the liquid output rates of the two pumping units relative to each other. The positive displacement characteristics of the pumping units 52, 54 prevents the output rate of either unit from being disturbed by changes in the viscosity of the liquid ybeing pumped, variations in the liquid level in the container from which the liquid is pumped, or changes in theback pressure on the lpumping apparatus. i

' While I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the underlying principles and scope of the invention. I therefore desire, by the following claims, to include all Once this ratio between the volumetic pumping rates of such variations and moditcationsby which substantially other transversely with respect to said frame and supported on said respective'tracks for translation independently of each other on said tracks .between opposite ends of said frame, each pumping unit depending a sub- Stantial distance below the supporting track therefor and defining a uid intake opening at the lower end thereof, each pumping unit defining a uidoutlet therefrom, each of said-pumping units including a reciprocable actuator therefor, an actuating rocker pivoted to said frame adjacent one end thereof and extending therealong toward theother end thereof for swinging movement in relation to said frame above the pumping units, means` on each pumping unit translatable therewith along said supporting track therefor and forming a driving connection between the pumping unit vactuator and the portion of the rocker registering therewith along said frame, and a reciprocable motor suspended from the tracks including a vertically reciprocable plunger connected to the free end of the rocker for swinging the rocker up and down.

2. For simultaneously pumping two different fluids from separate containers at pumping rates Ifor the respective fluids which can be adjusted to and positively stabilized at any desired ratio to each other, the combination of a horizontally elongated frame including means defining two substantially parallel tracks extending longitudinally between opposite ends of the frame in transversely spaced relation to each other, two positive displacement reciprocable pumping units spaced from each other transversely with respect to said fr-ame and supported on said respective tracks for translation independently ofV each other on said tracks between opposite ends of said frame, each pumping unit depending a substantial distance below the supporting track therefor and defining a uid intake opening at the lower end thereof, each pumping unit defining a fluid outlet therefrom, each of said pumping units including a reciprocable actuator therefor, an actuating rocker pivoted to said frame adjacent one end thereof and extending therealong toward the other end thereof vfor swinging movement in relation to said frame above the pumping units, each pumping unit actuator including thereon a driving connection comprising two spaced rollers embracing the -adjacent portion of the rocker to constrain the pumping unit actuator to follow the movements of the rocker toward and away from the frame while remaining free to vmove longitudinally with Irespect to the rocker, and a reciprocable motor suspended from the tracks including a vertically reciprocable plunger connected to the free end of the rocker for swinging the rocker up and down.

3. For simultaneously pumping two different fluids from separate containers at pumping rates for the respective fluids which can be adjusted to and positively stabilized at any desired ratio to each other, the combination of a horizontally elongated frame including means de-' fning two substantially parallel tracks yextending longitudinally between yopposite ends of the frame in transverselyl spaced relation to each other, two positive displacement 4reciprocable pumping units spaced from each each pumping unit defining a uid outlet therefrom, each of said pumping units including a reciprocable actuator therefor, an actuating rocker pivoted to said frame adjacent one end thereof and extending therealong toward the other end thereof for swinging movement in relation to said frame above the pumping units, means on each pumping unit translatable therewith along said supporting track therefor and forming a driving connection between the pumping unit actuator 4and the portion of the 6 rocker registering therewith along said frame, a reciprocable motor suspended from the tracks including a vertically reciprocable plunger extending upwardly beyond the tracks, and a pin and slot driving connection for the 5 rocker and motor plunger.

References Cited in the le of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 164,723 Germany Nov. 4, 1905 

